I checked the 2009 DL650 & DL1000. Front wheel part numbers are different & bearings are different. DL650 has a 17mm front axle, DL1000 has a 20mm front axle. Fork internals are also different I believe.

The fork internals, axel, etc shouldn't matter. The only thing that needs to match is the steering head tube to mount the triples. Once those are mounted the fork tubes, axel, wheel are all from a dr650 (or whatever other bike).

Compared with similar mods done years ago, now is the right time for a kit. Why? Cheap and abundant dl650s are coming to the used market. If you could get Warp 9 to produce a rear hub for or adapt a current hub they offer to fit the rear of the bike, that would be a huge step forward, an affordable rear wheel with spokes.

Very interesting! I'd consider buying a kit if the price is right. Ill at least keep an eye out for a salvaged new front end.

The few times I really took my Wee off road the suspension was so flimsy it felt like the bike was going to crack in half. I gave up on taking it off-road an geared it toward being a full on road bike. It is a lot of fun on road but could be a good DS bike with the right mods. Interesting thread! It is true what someone else said about the motor, it has a poor power curve for off road riding.

Nothing yet. Still working on shop move and won't start on offering "KITS" until I get that done and room to work. We got hit with some crazy NOV storms Sunday so I didn't get anymore testing done. I need to get the shop done so I'm not working out of 5 garages with tools everywhere. Should give everyone enough time to find there DRZ400 forks, front wheel and brakes.

Nothing yet. Still working on shop move and won't start on offering "KITS" until I get that done and room to work....Should give everyone enough time to find there DRZ400 forks, front wheel and brakes.

Good to know. So you will be selling just the triple tree and clamps. We will have to find our own forks, wheel, etc. And it is designed around the DRZ400 sized fork tube. Are these all correct assumptions?

Good to know. So you will be selling just the triple tree and clamps. We will have to find our own forks, wheel, etc. And it is designed around the DRZ400 sized fork tube. Are these all correct assumptions?

I'm really looking forward to this when you have it ready.

Many options and "KITs" are possible.

We could also make them work with the 50mm WP extreme forks and front end.

We planned this as a EBAY build for shopping for parts and to make it user friendly and cost effective, I hope to offer as much or as little as the end user needs. These triple clamps have a 49mm ID. Any tube with that size could work.

How about sleeves for the clamps to be able to use other sizes of fork tubes in your triple clamps?

Simple slotted clamp sleeves with a top shoulder to keep them from dropping out would be easy to machine in any inner I.D. with an O.D. of your custom clamps.
That would allow us to source many front ends that are available.
Those sleeves would be a great addition to your parts kit availability.

I think…

And don't some USD forks have a different size top & bottom clamp?
Having the various sleeve sizes would really open up the fork choices and you would only need one triple clamp size.

Using the Suzuki DRZ front end is great for parts interchange but there are many good choices on eBay from other bikes.

__________________Attitude ~The difference between
Ordeal and Adventure James

I will be able to make custom triples for a price if curtain forks are required by some rider. I don't like the idea of double clamping rings on forks seeing serious offroad use, even though it is easier.

USD fork have larger OD, and will limit turning radius as they will hit the frame sooner. That is why I stuck with conventional DRZ/ WP forks. They are plenty good IMO for what this bike is built to handle.

If I need USD MX style forks, Then I'll work on that when the AWD frame kit is started.....

What all did you guys end up doing to the DRZ fork internals for this set up? I think I am going to look for a used set of forks, but I am curious as to what else will be needed to beef them up.

Thanks

Atwater1

You first have to determine how stiff you want the springs to be. Then you go to a suspension tuner to match the valving to the springs and the intended use of the bike. However, try them first and play with the clickers! Post 02 drz forks are fully adjustable.

You first have to determine how stiff you want the springs to be. Then you go to a suspension tuner to match the valving to the springs and the intended use of the bike. However, try them first and play with the clickers! Post 02 drz forks are fully adjustable.

First of all, I would like to say that I am very much a n00b when it comes to suspensions. The following may or may not make sense...

I figured I would just start with heavier springs and play with the clickers. Then, if necessary, go the route of new/updated valving. I have found different websites that will calculate a heavier spring based on the riders weight and intended riding style. However, given that the wee is a bit () heavier than the drz, I am unsure of how much extra stiffness will be needed just to overcome that. I suppose I could calculate the difference in weight of the bikes, and add that into the riders weight, but I don't really know if there is more to it than that or not.

Did I mention I'm in a little over my head when it comes to the dark art that is suspensions...

I figured I would just start with heavier springs and play with the clickers. Then, if necessary, go the route of new/updated valving....

i wouldn't buy springs or valves until you've exhausted the many adjustment combinations, and also switched to synthetic fork oil, maybe in a different weight. it also depends on your personal preferences. for example, i don't care for a soft setup on the roads i frequently travel, while the next rider would say that soft is exactly what he's looking for.

similar weight bike, i didn't change the internals on the DRZ forks at all. as far as i know, they're OEM stock.